Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-11-18
The Constitutional Question.

The question OF call for constitution
al convention, though defeated by what
on it's face appears to be pretty large
majority, will be seen upon a closer exam
ination to have been favored by an actual
majority of the intelligent citizens of the
State, capable of forming al opinion in
the matter. The call was defeated by the
action of the Republican State convention
whereby the ignorant colored voters of
the State were voted solidly in every
county against the call. This was the
balance of power which, thrown in a lump
on one side of the scale, defeated the call :;
otherwise it would have prevailed ~
fair majority. That The action of the Re
publican convention was the result of
dicker with certain corporate interests il
the State anxious to escape their just shar'
of taxes, is the opinion which has beeL
pretty generally expressed by the State
press.
Now that the call for convention has
failed, it will devo've on the next Legisls-
ture to thoroughly tes, the efficiency of the
argument which was chiefly invoked by
hose opposed to the call; viz, the power
and practical capacity of the Legislature
to make all necessary changes in the or
ganic law by means of amendments for
mulated and submitted to the people for
adoption. 1t was generally conceded
throughout the Safe that essential changes
in the constitution are now necessary but
it was con'snded, especially in Washing
ton county, that the power Of amendment,
vested in the Legislature was so complete,
that it would be wastefulness to incur the
expense Of q constitutional convention to
do what the Legislature could do a. well.
1t was this argument that influenced many
Intelligent citizens in some sections of the
State, who recognized that alterations 10
the constitution are necessary, to vote
against convention.
1t is fact, which experience has abun-
dainty demonstrated. that the busy sss-
sions of the Legislature do not furnish
very good opportunities for properly di-
gesting such important legislation as
amendments to the organic law. Bu.
there seems now to he no other means Of
accomplishing what is generally conceded
to be = necessary purpose. 1t sprobable,
therefore, that the coming General Assem-
bly, will address itself earnestly to this
important work. The Legislature, as nov
constituted. seems to be very we'll capaci,
tsied to deal with such questions as some
Of the sblest men from the differen, sec
tions Of the State are included within It's
membership.
There 10 no doubt hat the Assembly
will feel bound to recognize the larg.. and
it may be said. prepondera'ing .entimen,
among the intellisest people of the State
as expressed at the recent election. by
addressing itself seriously to this question.
even to the exclusion OF less importan,
legislation. Il will then be determined
whether or not an iutelligeu, Legislature
can deal effectively 10 clipping the wings
OF strong corporations and suLjecting
them to their proper share OF the burdens
Of public taxes Il is probable that the
submission to the people of several bene-
fetal admendments, directed to the remedy.
ing Of some Of the more important evils,
among them . change 10 the present judic
iary system, will be part of the work OF
the coming session.